February 9, 2017
USA v Brazil Preview: Americas Rugby Championship
Doug Coil
The second round of the Americas Rugby Championship will take place on Saturday February 11 with Argentina XV playing Uruguay at Estadio Villa Mitre, Bahía Blanca at 7.10pm (local time). The other matches have USA facing Brazil at Dell Diamond, Round Rock, (Austin) Texasat 6.10pm CT and Canada facing Chile at Westhills Stadium, Langford, BC. at 5.10pm PT.
In the first round, Argentina XV beat Canada 20-6, the USA won 29-23 over Uruguay and Brazil beat Chile 17-3. For a recap of the matches read Recap Round 1 .
The standings after round one find Argentina, the USA and Brazil with 4 points, Uruguay 1 point, and Canada and Chile with 0 points.
The USA v Brazil match will be broadcast live on The Rugby Channel.
USA v Brazil
The USA trained at the Austin Huns field on Nixon Lane, Austin, Texas this week in preparation for the match against Brazil. Ten members of the Austin Huns were invited to train with the Eagles. They include, Sani Taylor, Martin Knoetze, Lomani Tongotongo, Kyle Breytenbach, HP Moore, Mason Petersen, Corey Momsen, Zinzan Puttick, Deon Minnaar and Hanco Germishuys. There will also be a training and autograph session at the field with the Eagles on Tuesday, February 14 from 3:30-4:30pm CT.
Head Coach John Mitchell’s squad has seven changes to starting XV from the 29-23 win over Uruguay. Changes were needed in the backs as Aj MacGinty and Blaine Scully were only available for the first match. An injury to Zach Test required an additional change.
Shaun Davies, the leading PRO Rugby try scorer for the Ohio Aviators will gain his first cap for the Eagles. He will also be the vice captain of the team. His Ohio Aviators teammate, Shaun Davies will be at scrumhalf with Will Magie, who played with the Denver Stampede and now plays with the Glendale Raptors at flyhalf. Nate Augspurger will move to wing from scrumhalf.
In the forwards, their is a new front row. Ben Tarr and Dino Waldren are at loosehead and tight head prop, respectively. James Hilterbrand will captain the team at hooker. Tony Lamborn will start at flanker.
John Mitchell talked about developing leaders last year. He said to USA Rugby that “As the guys know, we have a shared leadership group. James has shown the maturity and is an experienced, traveled footballer. He understands the game and has become more and more committed each time he joins us, and it shows in the way he goes about his work.”
“Davies is well-versed in managing and leading teams. He’s been a revelation in the way he’s gone about helping players, making sure players understand there’s a reason why we’re doing things. Those two working together is a good combination.”
The forwards were very effective last week against an experienced Uruguay team. The front row is available on the bench. Nate Brakeley and Nick Civetta returnto the second row. Tony Lamborn was excellent in relief of Todd Clever, who is a reserve for this match. Lamborn will join John Quill and Al McFarland in the backrow.
The other starting backs include Bryce Campbell at outside center and Mikey Te’o at fullback. Bryce was set up for a try by AJ MacGinty against Uruguay. JP Eloff will by at inside center and adds play maker skills to the position.
Mitchell added “We want to get everyone starting. We’d like everyone to be better than last week. Everyone’s a week older in terms of the way we prepare. Guys are mindful of the limited opportunities presented to them with Rugby World Cup Qualifiers around the corner and it’s a critical time for a lot of these players.”
Brazil
Brazil has made three changes to their starting XV from their 17-3 win over Chile. These include French lock Luiz Vieira, loosehead prop Jonatas Paulo and Matheus Cruz at scrumhalf. Props Caíque Silva and Pedro Bengaló were also added to the squad as replacements.
Against Chile, tries were scored by replacement scrumhalf Matheus Cruz and by outside center Felipe Sancery. Moisés Duque added a penalty kick and two conversions.
Men’s Eagles v. Brazil 1. Ben Tarr 2. James Hilterbrand (C) 3. Dino Waldren 4. Nate Brakeley 5. Nick Civetta 6. John Quill 7. Tony Lamborn 8. Al McFarland 9. Shaun Davies 10. Will Magie 11. Nate Augspurger 12. JP Eloff 13. Bryce Campbell 14. Spike Davis 15. Mike Te’o 16. Peter Malcolm 17. Chris Baumann 18. Anthony Purpura 19. Cameron Dolan 20. Todd Clever 21. Ben Cima 22. Peter Tiberio 23. Deion Mikesell
Brazil v USA: 1 Jonatas Paulo, 2 Yan Rosetti, 3 Wilton Rebolo, 4 Luiz Vieira, 5 Lucas Piero, 6 João Luiz da Ros, 7 André Arruda, 8 Nick Smith (capt.), 9 Matheus Cruz, 10 Josh Reeves, 11 Stefano Giantorno, 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Felipe Sancery, 14 De Wet van Niekerk, 15 Daniel Sancery 16 Daniel Danielewicz, 17 Caíque Silva, 18 Pedro Bengaló, 19 Diego López, 20 Arthur Bergo, 21 Beukes Cremer, 22 Luan Smanio, 23 Guilherme Coghetto
USA Eagles – Americas Rugby Championship
- v. Uruguay – W 29-23
- v. Brazil – Saturday, Feb. 11 @ Dell Diamond
- v. Canada – Saturday, Feb. 18 @ Swangard Stadium
- v. Chile – Saturday, Feb. 25
- v. Argentina XV – Saturday, March 4
